Batgirls: One Way or Another

12-25-2024

 This has been a really fun read and a really nice way to distract myself during a long Christmas shift at work. I scrolled through my DC Infinite until the cover caught my eye. I saw it was only 3 collected Volumes, so I took the plunge. This is just for Batgirls (#1-#6). As you'll read, I'm going to read the rest. This first volume really sold me.

 The plot is that the 3 Batgirls have to go into hiding after a character named the Seer hacks into Oracle’s (Original Batgirl)systems. Steph (Purple hood Batgirl) and Cass (Full black costume Batgirl) have to keep themselves out of trouble while they try and figure out how to stop the Seer. I didn't read Fear State before reading this because I didn't think it'd be too important. I think I'm right, because it was really easy to follow what was going on plot-wise. Some of the details are a little confusing.

 Oh my God, the book has such good artwork. It's mind-boggling. I am not being hyperbolic with how much I love how these issues look. Jorge Corona (pencils and inks) and Sarah Stern (colorist) blew it out of the water. Like really, just look at some of the pages when you have a chance, the artwork is on point. I could not take my eyes off the pages.

 I'd never read a story with Cass or Steph where they weren't background characters. Not only that, but I've read some batman stories and a good portion of the newest Nightwing run, but I'm happy to say that I'm a big fan of these characters. Not only that, but I think they are gay for each other and hope they realize it sooner or later.

 Barbra Gordon as Oracle has also been good, but I think in future issues she's going to be Batgirl again full-time. Just based on some of the issue's covers. I do think she works really well as the leader behind the screen, but I don't mind it either way they go with it.

 There is a group of Magistrate followers. I don't know if they showed up before, but they had a cool presence when they did show up. I think Valentine has my favorite design. With her having a cool heart over one eye that drips down the mask like a tear. The others really didn't stick in my mind yet, and I don't really feel like looking up their names.

 Seer is a nerdy short girl and I know next to nothing about her yet, but she is catfishing the magistrate people with a deep fake of their dead leader. So, that's pretty cool.

 The main show of this volume was the villain Tutor and the man behind the scenes, Spellbinder. Tutor was exposed to scarecrow gas around when he was in university. He had to stay in a 72- hold in Arkham Asylum because of this. While here, Dante (Spellbinder), started administering fear toxin mixture to Tutor. This caused him to lose track of his sanity and to become a pawn go Spellbinder. They both have wonderful designs! Tutor being a street artist who hypnotizes people with his art. He's got a whole gas mask thing going on, and he's also missing the skin around his mouth and his nose for some reason? I didn't quite catch the reason. Spellbinder, a cool orange helmet with 2 large black horns. He also wears a cool ass suit with long coattails. Barbra Gordon beats the shit out of him and exposes him. I'm sure he'll come up again in some future comic. Probably to cause some drama between her and Dick Grayson (Nightwing).

 Some of my favorite standout moments were when Steph was driving a bomb away from the climax of the story. Her stupid face gives me life. I also just love how little Cass knows about pop culture (She has never seen a zombie movie, and she doesn't know what bestie means). Barbara tells Dick (It was Seer voice modulating) that he was being randy and shagadelic.

 I'm really hyped for the rest of the series and hope it keeps up this quality.